Green Switch

Abstract

An energy saving device having a physical or electronic switch adapted to minimize energy use when not needed where the switch is securable to an adapter plug of an AC/DC power adapter. The switch includes an actuation button where attachment of a rechargeable device to the adapter plug allows electricity to flow from an electrical outlet through the physical or electronic switch and into the transformer of the AC/DC power adapter to allow for the charging of the rechargeable device and where removal of the rechargeable device from the adapter plug results in movement of the actuation button to interrupt the flow of electricity from the electrical outlet to the transformer of the AC/DC power adapter thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption by the AC/DC power adapter.

1 . An energy saving device comprising:
 adapter switch having a first end for supporting a transformer of an AC/DC power adapter therein and a second end for connection to an electrical outlet; and   a pushbutton switch connected to said adapter switch, said pushbutton switch securable to an adapter plug of said AC/DC power adapter; said pushbutton switch including an actuation button located thereon;   wherein the attachment of a rechargeable device to said adapter plug results in the movement of the actuation button from a normally extended condition to a contacted condition to allow electricity to flow from an electrical outlet through said adapter switch and into said transformer of said AC/DC power adapter to allow for the charging of the rechargeable device and the removal of said rechargeable device from said adapter plug results in movement of the actuation button from said contacted condition to said normally extended condition to interrupt the flow of electricity from said electrical outlet to said transformer of said AC/DC power adapter thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption by said AC/DC power adapter.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  including an electric cable connecting said adapter switch to said pushbutton switch. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said actuation button includes an internal spring mechanism for returning said actuation button from said contacted condition to said normally extended condition. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said adapter switch is integrally formed to said AC/DC power adapter. 
     
     
         5 . An energy saving device comprising:
 a charger base having a switch located on a surface of the charger base wherein the attachment of a rechargeable device to said charger base results in the actuation of said switch from a normally off condition to an on condition to allow electricity to flow from an electrical outlet through said charger base allowing for the charging of said rechargeable device and the removal of said rechargeable device from said charger base results in the actuation of said switch from said on condition to said normally off condition to interrupt the flow of electricity from said electrical outlet to said charger base thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption by said charger base.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said switch comprises a push button switch, said push button switch including a button located on said charging surface of said charger base wherein the attachment of said rechargeable device to said charger base results in the actuation of said button from said normally extended condition to said contacted condition to allow electricity to flow from said electrical outlet through said charger base allowing for the charging of said rechargeable device and the removal of said rechargeable device from said charger base results in the actuation of said button from said contacted condition to said normally extended condition to interrupt the flow of electricity from said electrical outlet to said charger base thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption by said charger base. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said button includes an internal spring mechanism for returning said button from said contacted condition to said normally extended condition. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said switch comprises a toggle switch. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said switch comprises a proximity switch. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said proximity switch comprises a magnetic read switch. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said proximity switch comprises a optical switch. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said rechargeable device comprises a battery pack. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said rechargeable device comprises an electric toothbrush. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said rechargeable device comprises a cellular phone. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said rechargeable device comprises a cordless phone. 
     
     
         16 . A device for conserving electricity comprising:
 an adapter having an outlet electrically coupled to the electrical input of an electrical charger and an inlet electrically coupled to the output of an electrical power source for supplying charging energy to said charger;   an electrical switch connected to said adapter for opening and closing the electrical circuit between said adapter inlet and outlet; and   means for operatively coupling said switch to a chargeable device to close the electrical circuit only when the chargeable device is coupled thereto.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the chargeable device comprises an electric car. 
     
     
         18 . A method for conserving electrical energy in the use of an electrical charger comprising the steps of:
 providing a physical or electronic switch between the electrical charger and the electrical charger's source of electrical power; and
 operating the physical or electronic switch to close an electrical circuit between the electrical charger and the electrical charger's source of electrical power only when a chargeable device is coupled to the electrical charger.